362 
partment of military service, on 
the land and on the water, have 
essentially contributed to theAme- 
rican name, and to the restoration 
of peace. The feelings of con- 
scious patriotism and worth will 
animate such men, under every 
change of fortune and pursuit; 
but their country performs a duty 
of itself, when it bestows those tes- 
timonials of approbation and ap- 
plause which are at once the re- 
ward, and the incentive to great 
actions. 
The reduction of the public 
expenditures to the demands of a 
peace establishment will doubtless 
engage the immediate attention of 
Congress. There are, however, 
important considerations which 
forbid a sudden and general revo- 
cation of the measures that have 
been produced by the war. 
Experience has taught us, 
that neither the pacific dispositions 
of the American people, nor the 
pacific character of their political 
institutions, can altogetherexempt 
them from that strife which ap- 
pears, beyond the ordinary lot of 
nations, to be incident to the actual 
period of the world; and the same 
faithful monitor demonstrates,that 
a certain degree of preparation for 
war is not only indispensable to 
avert disaster in the onset, but 
affords also the best security for 
the continuance of peace. 
The wisdom of Congress ‘will, 
therefore, I am confident, pro- 
vide for the maintenance of an 
adequate regular force; for the 
gradual advance of the naval esta- 
blishment ; for improving all the 
means of harbour defence; for 
adding discipline to the distin- 
guished bravery of the militia; 
and for cultivating the military 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
art in its essential branches, 
under the liberal patronage of 
Government. 
The resources of our country 
were, at all times, competent to 
the attainment of every national 
object, but they will now be en- 
riched and invigorated by the 
activity which peace will intro- 
duce toall the scenes of domestic 
enterprise and labour. 
The provision that has been 
made for the public creditors, dur- 
ing the present Session of Con- 
gress, must have a decisive effect 
in the establishment of the public 
credit both at home and abroad. 
The reviving interests of com- 
merce will claim the legislative 
attention at the earliest opportu- 
nity; and such regulations will, 
I trust, be seasonably devised, as 
shall secure to the United States 
their just proportion of the navi- 
gation of the world. The most 
liberal policy towards other na- 
tions, if met by corresponding dis- 
positions, will, in this respect, be 
found the most beneficial policy 
towards ourselves. But there is 
no object that can enter with 
greater force and merit into the 
deliberation of Congress, than 4 
consideration of the means to pre- 
serve and promote the manufac- 
tures which have sprunginto exist- 
ence, and attained an unparalleled 
maturity throughout the United 
States during the period of Eu- 
ropean wars. This source of na 
tional independence and wealth, 
I anxiously recommend to the 
prompt and constant guardianship 
of Congress. 
The termination of the Le- 
gislative Sessions will soon sepa- 
rate you, fellow citizens, from 
each-other, and restore you to your 
